Deborah Townsend, who is with the Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center (VECTEC), presents website basics to local business owners and entrepreneurs.

Hosted by Mountain Empire Community College, the workshop was made available by a partnership to promote e-business in southwest Virginia through the development of an e-Business Village. Partners include Mountain Empire Community College's Center for Workforce Development and Small Business Development Center; the Pioneer Center for Business Opportunity; LENOWISCO; Chambers of Commerce and Industrial Development Authorities of City of Norton/Wise, Lee, Scott, and Dickenson Counties, the Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center, and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology.

According to a Homestead Technologies poll of 976 full or part owners of U. S businesses with 20 or fewer employees, published in 2002, 58% said their web site had played an important role in the success of their small business.

Deborah Townsend, of VECTEC, the Virginia Electronic Commerce Technology Center, addressed the following topics: What is the Internet, How can a website benefit my business, What to consider in you e-business plan, Marketing your website, Search engines, Security, What makes a good website, What are the costs, and Where to get more help.

The Mountain Empire Electronic Business Village plans to continue offering e-commerce related workshops throughout the region, as well as create an informational website on local resources and provide assistance to businesses with the development of their websites. To launch the e-business village, a unique pilot instructional program for four local businesses and MECC computer and business student interns is being held during the college's spring semester.

For more information about upcoming workshops, contact Louis Collier, Director of MECC's Center for Workforce Development, at 276-523-7477 or lcollier@me.vccs.edu.

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